Download PHYS 1311: Advanced Intro. Physics I 


PHYS 1311: Advanced Intro. Physics I Mechanics, Waves, & Thermodynamics (?)
❑ Corequisite: MATH 2260 (or 2300H, 2400, 2400H)***
also experts in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry**, and
and familiarity with Basic Chemistry
❑ Not available for students with credit in PHYS 1111
❑ Introduction to Newtonian mechanics, wave motion,
and thermodynamics using calculus for majors
❑Aims of course:
- teach you the fundamental principles/laws of physics
- teach you how to apply these principles to practical
problem solving (useful in other fields)
Physics is Science
The Scientific Method was and is applied in the
formulation of physics
What is the Scientific Method?
(http://
teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/appendixe/appendixe.html)
1. Observation/description of natural phenomenon
2. Formulate hypothesis to explain phenomenon
3. Use hypothesis to predict other (related) phenomena
4. Perform experiment/observation to test hypothesis
5. Repeat (3) and (4) many times
6. If step (5) is all correct, then the hypothesis (2) may be
regarded as a law or theory of nature
7. If (5) is incorrect, start over at (2)
What is Physics?
Definition: the science that deals with matter and energy in
terms of motion and interactions
Operational definition: given some experimental observation, a theory is developed to describe it. The theory is then
used to make predictions, which are then tested with
further experiments or observations.
A Building-Up of Principles
Algebra -> geometry -> trigonometry -> calculus ->
kinematics -> forces -> work/energy -> waves ->
thermodynamics -> … -> electricity/magnetism ->
optics -> …
Some examples:
table tennis (London
2012 Olympics)
Freestyle (London 2012 Olympics)
The Classification of Physics
Classical Physics
- everyday speeds and sizes
(Newton, …)
Quantum Physics
- very small (Schroedinger,
…)
Relativistic Physics
- Very fast (Einstein, …)
Relativistic Quantum
Physics – very small and
very fast (Dirac, …)
Quantum Electrodynamics
Quantum Chromodynamics
Supersymmetry
String theory, etc.
Chapter 1: The Basics
Things you should already know or will need to learn
about:
1. Units: SI will be used (mostly), British units will be
used occasionally (foot, pound…)
2. Significant figures (covered in lab)
3. Dimensional analysis
4. Order-of-magnitude estimates
Vectors and Scalars
Physical Quantities:
1. Scalar – a quantity that can be completely specified
by a single number or magnitude (and units); e.g.,
temperature, mass, speed (70 mph), energy, …
2. Vector – a quantity which has both a magnitude and
a direction (and units); e.g., force, velocity,
N
displacement, …
v=70 mph
Physical quantities have explicit
definitions
θ=5°
E
v=70 mph, 5° N of E
Vector Addition and Subtraction
The addition of vectors is not the same as the addition of
scalars.
Consider the vectors A and B
The vector sum = resultant = R = A + B
but, R ≠ A + B
Example. A=50.0 m, B=20.0 m
y
R≠70.0 m
Use Pythagorean theorem
R = √(A2+B2)= 53.9 m
B
R
A
x
h
y
Direction?
Use trigonometric functions
θ
x=h cosθ, y=h sinθ , y=x tanθ
Three ways:
θ = tan-1 (B/A) = 21.8° <- dimensionless
θ = cos-1 (A/R) = 21.8° (or 21.7° for low precision)
θ = sin-1 (B/R) = 21.8°
Vector: R = 53.9 m @ 21.8°
x